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Kamikawa is a big municipality in the course of Hokkaido, with the town of Asahikawa at its centre.

Whereas it’s simply neglected for extra distant areas on Hokkaido, Kamikawa has loads to supply to the out of doors fanatic who’d prefer to discover mountains, rivers and get to know the native Ainu tradition.

It’s additionally house to the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, the most important Nationwide Park in Japan, which is house to many bears and it’s surrounding Hotsprings are inviting to hikers and skiers alike.

Right here is an outline:

Daisetsuzan National Park.
Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park.

Sapporo

Our journey to Kamikawa begins in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido which is definitely reached from overseas. Japan is understood for its quick and environment friendly trains, so it’s the logical option to proceed to Asahikawa.

It’s a brief and pleasant journey, and from Asahikawa we proceed by way of Bus to the fantastic Fratello Di Mikuni Restaurant, which sits atop a hill and has fantastic views in the direction of Daisetsuzan. This Restaurant not solely delights with the magnificent views you may have in the direction of the mountains, but additionally the scrumptious meals the Cooks conjure up in your plate! We had probably the most wonderful six course meal which can make your mouth water. 🤤

Different dishes at the Fratello Di Mikuni Restaurant.
Totally different dishes on the Fratello Di Mikuni Restaurant.

Pictures Museum of Koetsu Ichinei

After our scrumptious dinner we take a stroll by the close by Daisetsu Mori-no Backyard, which was pleasant with its autumn vibes. I may have spend much more time right here, it was so fairly, although we went on to the inspiring pictures Museum of Koetsu Ichinei who can be the writer of the “Mountains in Hokkaido” ebook.

Ichinei-San has spent his lifetime photographing within the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, and the gathering of his photographs will make you wish to go straight away and go to this Nationwide Park in all of the seasons.

Sounkyo Customer Centre

After this inspiring go to, by which Ichinei-San has advised us about his love for the mountains, we made a go to to the Sounkyo Customer Centre down the street, the place we realized extra in regards to the Nationwide Park which we’ll go to the subsequent day.

Nature photos at the Photography Museum of Koetsu Ichinei.
Nature photographs on the Pictures Museum of Koetsu Ichinei.
Ichinei San, the photographer of the nature photos at the Photography Museum of Koetsu Ichinei.
Ichinei San, the photographer of the character photographs on the Pictures Museum of Koetsu Ichinei.

Lodge Taisetsu – Kaiseki dinner

Lodge Taisetsu is our house for the night time, on the doorstep of the Nationwide Park and never far-off from the Mt. Kurodake Ropeway.

The native deer welcome us and after shifting our belongings into our conventional and spacious rooms we head to the Onsen, which is situated on the prime flooring and overlooks the mountains. Sitting within the steaming scorching spring water whereas it’s a bit chilly outdoors and overlooking the character is an incredible expertise, and so stress-free – you must attempt it! 

No go to to a Onsen Lodge just like the Taisetsu is full with out an incredible Kaiseki dinner – a ten course meal which incorporates scrumptious Sashimi, a second dish with a seasonal theme, Takiawase, Shiizakana, seasonal pickled greens and naturally a scrumptious dessert!

After this tasty expertise we loved an Ainu Tradition efficiency together with the gorgeous sounding mouth-harp. A few of my mates went now to the Onsen, which frequently is open until midnight – an ideal option to finish a ravishing day.

Delicious ten course Kaiseki dinner at the Taisetsu hotel in Hokkaido, Japan.
Scrumptious ten course Kaiseki dinner on the Taisetsu resort in Hokkaido, Japan.

A Go to to Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park

Daisetsuzan (大雪山) stands as Hokkaido’s most in depth nationwide park, safeguarding an enormous expanse of practically untouched wilderness surpassing the dimensions of sure smaller Japanese prefectures.

This sanctuary is a haven for climbing fanatics, nature lovers, in addition to an abode for deer and brown bears. It proudly holds the excellence of being the primary location in Japan to embrace the colourful hues of autumn leafs and the pristine great thing about snowfall annually.

One of the best ways to discover this haven is on foot, which is what we did the subsequent morning. Earlier than you’re allowed into the Nationwide Park you need to sit by a 5 minute schooling session in regards to the bears within the Nationwide Park and tips on how to behave when you ought to encounter one. It’s informative and made in a enjoyable manner, and after this we hit the path.

Education session before hiking at Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, Japan.
Training session earlier than climbing at Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park in Hokkaido, Japan.

The great thing about Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park must be skilled – from climbing previous steaming Fumaroles to tiny streams by which you see Oshorokoma trout swim, it’s one thing which you must see for your self.

Add in the fantastic thing about the onsetting autumn colours, the beautiful lakes which you cross in your hike and the far-reaching views throughout the Nationwide Park and past, and I imagine you’re already trying out flights to Hokkaido – you possibly can scroll to the underside of the article for that, to see the perfect offers for that, in addition to Motels and restaurant suggestions!

Fumaroles to tiny streams at the Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, Japan.
©Hendrik-Morkel
Fumaroles to tiny streams on the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park in Hokkaido, Japan.
©Hendrik-Morkel
Hiking in the Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, Japan.
Climbing within the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park in Hokkaido, Japan.
Start of the Kogen-Onsen Numa Mengari Hiking Trail.
©Hendrik-Morkel
Begin of the Kogen-Onsen Numa Mengari Climbing Path.

Asahikawa Design Middle

After our hike we had a improbable lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, earlier than using with the Bus again to Asahikawa and a go to to the Asahikawa Design Middle.

Asahikawa is a UN Design Capital, identical to Helsinki and a handful of different cities throughout the globe, and within the Asahikawa Design Middle you possibly can study extra in regards to the wooden and furnishings trade of the island.

Going by the attention-grabbing exhibition we had been led to the wood-working space of the Design Centre, the place we may select from a wide range of gadgets which we may now craft ourselves! This was lots of enjoyable and it was troublesome to decide on what to make – ultimately I picked a ravishing piece of wooden which might grow to be a small tray for my associate.

At the Asahikawa Design Centre.
On the Asahikawa Design Centre.

In Asahikawa we stayed within the Artwork Lodge. There’s many improbable Motels on this city of virtually 340.000 inhabitants, although the breakfast room on the prime flooring of the Artwork Lodge, with beautiful views over the town and in the direction of the mountains, makes it a strong selection.

As for Eating places, in a metropolis of this dimension you could find something that fits your tastes – from conventional Japanese delicacies over Ramen to extra Western delicacies. This night in Asahikawa we went to eat on the Oysteria Canyon Base on the primary road, which gives very tasty Italian meals! There have been additionally improbable Vegan choices, and the deserts had been so scrumptious that we had seconds. 😋

Biking to Higashikawa

The following morning the solar was excessive up within the sky and beckoned us to affix it on a biking journey. We rode out to the Daisetsuzan Gensui Park, which is a ravishing Park not too far-off from the Asahidake Ropeway.

It’s a beautiful place with a stunning stream which you’ll hike alongside as much as the supply. There’s additionally a car parking zone the place locals come to choose up the water from faucets, as it’s speculated to have therapeutic qualities. It’s undoubtedly very tasty and all of us stuffed up our water bottles!

The source at the Daisetsuzan Gensui Park.
©Hendrik-Morkel
The supply on the Daisetsuzan Gensui Park.

It was now time for a really good cycle journey to Higashikawa, alongside the shore of the Chubetsu Lake and throughout the dam. We rode on regular streets this primary half, however visitors was little and the biking was straightforward and enjoyable, with nice views.

On the dam we loved the views again in the direction of the mountains, particularly Asahidake which was the closest and appeared majestic within the heat autumn day.

The following half was arguably probably the most pleasant: On a cycle street with the Chubetsu river on our left and golden rice paddies on our proper. It was completely improbable and one thing to undoubtedly do whenever you go to!

Cycling to Higashikawa!
©Hendrik-Morkel
Biking to Higashikawa!

To prime issues off we even visited a neighborhood rice farmer, and heard how his rice has gained a number of competitions in Japan!

Hokkaido’s rice may be very extremely regarded throughout Japan, even when rice cultivation has solely began right here within the final century when new applied sciences grew to become out there to develop rice this far north in such brief summers.

Farmer of the golden rice.
©Hendrik-Morkel
Farmer of the golden rice.

We continued into this lovely city which is effectively know throughout the island because the “City of Pictures” – there are numerous gifted photographers dwelling right here, and within the city heart you possibly can see lots of of outdated, lovely movie cameras.

Outdoors we loved additionally a captivating exhibition a few film, there’s a Montbell Retailer on the primary street if you wish to purchase some high-quality out of doors equipment, and the Tofu Comfortable Serve store subsequent to it’s extremely really helpful – the ice cream is scrumptious! 

Photo exhibition and good food in Higashikawa!
©Hendrik-Morkel
Picture exhibition and good meals in Higashikawa!

Meals competition Asahikawa

After our journey we took the bus again to Asahikawa, the place we went and explored the Meals Pageant which was occurring.

It’s an over one kilometer lengthy assortment of lots of of meals stalls on the primary road, the place you possibly can eat native and worldwide treats. It’s an absolute feast – and it’s additionally reasonably priced!

While you’re in September in Asahikawa be sure to plan your go to round this Pageant, because it permits you to style a lot scrumptious meals that you’ve got a superb purpose to go on an extended hike or bicycle journey the subsequent day!

Evening Mood in Asahikawa.
Night Temper in Asahikawa.
At the Food Festival in Asahikawa.
©Hendrik-Morkel
On the Meals Pageant in Asahikawa.

On the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum

While you go to Hokkaido you’ll hear hopefully at one level or one other in regards to the indigenous individuals of the island – the Ainu.

Like many indigenous individuals they’ve suffered by the hands of others, from being forbidden to talk their language and follow their traditions. Fortunately these days that is now not the case, and through our go to to the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum we realized loads in regards to the Ainu and their tradition, which is said to nature & the land.

My favorite reminiscence is studying to play the normal mouth harp, which has a ravishing sound and is definitely fairly exhausting to play, even when it seems to be straightforward.

Having the ability to ask the mother and her son about their tradition and study from then was an inspiring expertise, and when you’re concerned about indigenous cultures then a go to here’s a should!

At the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum.
©Hendrik-Morkel
On the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum.

Practicalities: The way to get to Kamikawa, The place to Keep and what to Eat

First off: Get an eSim from Airalo. It really works a deal with and permits you to use Google Maps, Translate and the whole lot else for as little as 3$/ GB. I like to recommend their 5 GB Bundle when you keep lower than two weeks, after which merely top-up your account as wanted. Use the Code HENDRI0415 to get 3$!

Flying to Japan is super-easy and you can even fly on to Asahikawa, which has one of many most-reliable Airports in Japan. You will discover the perfect connections from your own home airport by way of Trip.com.

Professional-Tip: Add in a few days in Tokyo on the way in which house – see our Tokyo Tips here!

You should use Booking.com to search out the right Lodge in your keep in Asahikawa and ebook it straight away. I can extremely suggest the Hotel WBF Grande Asahikawa which has spacious rooms, a improbable Onsen and a really tasty breakfast buffet.

The AMANEK Asahikawa is the most recent Lodge in Asahikawa and is true off the Predominant Road and a 2 Minutes stroll to the railway station.

The Art Hotel Asahikawa is the place we stayed on this journey and it has comfy rooms and the breakfast buffet on the highest flooring may be very good certainly.

There are a lot of extra Motels on the town, so if none of those suit your wants flick through Booking.com to search out the correct Lodge for you!

Overlooking Kamikawa in Hokkaido, Japan.
Overlooking Kamikawa in Hokkaido, Japan.

There are such a lot of super-tasty Eating places in Asahikawa that I solely checklist my three favorites:

Ramen Santōka is the Greatest Ramen Store on the town. I completely LOVE their Ramen – they’re so tasty that my mouth is watering proper now, simply desirous about them!

If you wish to splurge on Dinner and desire a conventional Japanese expertise then you need to go to HATAGO. Have a Japanese good friend enable you to make a reservation because it’s very talked-about, after which be sure to attempt the Sashimi which had been godly.

Lastly, Switch Flavor is a Café which gives probably the most tastiest treats, from Parfaits to cheese cake and extra. This place is totally beautiful and perfect for {couples} who desire a romantic Café!

Tasty food from my favourite places in Asahikawa!
Tasty meals from my favorite locations in Asahikawa!

  • Hendrik Morkel

    Presenter and Videographer – Born in Germany Hendrik moved to Finland over 20 years in the past, the place he hikes, skis and climbs. He likes sustainable journey and likes to go on by-fair-means adventures world wide, which he paperwork along with his digicam and pen.



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